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Dorchester Town Football Club play in the Nationwide Conference South division. They play at the Avenue Stadium in Dorchester, on land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. They are managed by ex-pro footballer Mark Morris. Dorchester are currently at the highest standard they have ever reached, finishing in 8th place in 2005, narrowly missing out on the playoffs.
History
Dorchester Town first played regular, competitive football in the Western League Second Division in the 1947-1948 season, spending three seasons there before winning promotion to the First Division. The First Division later became known simply as the 'Western Football League' with the dissolution of the Second Division. Dorchester won this league in 1954, but had to wait until 1972 to gain promotion to the Southern League. This was based upon gaining 'membership' of the league as opposed to actually finishing in a predetermined position. In a six year period from 1954 to 1960, the club reached the FA Cup Second Round twice (losing to York and then to Plymouth Argyle three years later, both matches by a scoreline of 2-5). They also reached the First Round on three other occasions.
Once in the Southern League, the team was put in the Division One South, where they initially performed poorly. However, a good 1977-1978 season saw them promoted to the Southern Premiership. After winning only 7 times the next season, they were relegated again, which virtue of a League re-shuffle, was to the 'Southern League Southern Division'. The Town spent the next few years as a Yo yo club between these two divisions, but then settled in the Southern Premiership for nearly a decade and a half from 1987 to 2001, before relegation to the Eastern Division. Two years later and a promotion followed, leading into a few years of mediocrity in the Premiership again. A major shake-up of the League pyramid at the start of the 2004-05 season saw Dorchester compete for the first time in the Conference South. A good season saw them narrowly miss out on competing in the play-offs, which might have seen them gain entry to the Conference National.
In the 1981-1982 season, the club again reached the FA Cup Second Round. After drawing 1-1 to Bournemouth at home, they were knocked out after losing 2-1 in the replay. Since then they have twice reached the First Round, losing in 2000 to Wigan, who now play in the Premiership.
Club Records
Points in a season
- Most - 93 in 42 games (2.21 points/game). (Southern League East, 2002-2003)
- Least - 20 in 38 games (0.53 points/game). (Southern League Premiership, 1983-1984)
Wins in a season
- Most - 28 in 42 games. (Southern League East, 2002-2003)
- Least - 4 in 38 games. (Southern Premiership, 1983-1984)
Draws in a season
- Most - 18 in 46 games. (Southern League South, 1981-1982)
- Least - 2 in 36 games (Twice). (Western League Division 1, 1958-1959 and 1959-1960)
Losses in a season
- Most - 27 in 40 games. (Southern League South, 1985-1986)
- Least - 5 in 42 games. (Southern League East, 2002-2003)
- The same number of drawn games occurred in the Western League Division Two, 1949-1950, but the club played only 30 games.
Goals in a season
- Most scored - 115 in 40 games (2.88 goals/games). (Western League Premier Division, 1960-1961)
- Most conceded - 96 in 34 games (2.82 goals/game). (Western League Second Division, 1948-1949)
- Least scored - 35 in 40 games (0.88 goals/game). (Southern League South, 1985-1986)
- Least conceded - 30 in 34 games (0.88 goals/game). (Southern League Division One South, 1976-1977)
Colours and Badge
The club traditionally play in black and white striped shirts with black shorts and socks at home. The away kit is currently all yellow, but has in the past been all white, and there is little or no tradition regarding the away kit.
For the 2005-06 season, in celebration of the club's 125th anniversary, the home strip has been black and white quarters, like the strip the club played in during it's early years.
The club's current badge is circular, with the words 'Dorchester Town F.C.' and 'The Magpies' on a white outer rim, in black text. The central area contains two magpies on a brown branch in front of a sky blue background. Above them is a design based upon Dorchester Town Council's Coat of arms, a black circle containing a castle, upon which is a shield.
Stadium
- Main article: Avenue Stadium
While the capacity of the ground is 5,009, it is very rarely full - an average Conference South fixture might expect to attract 500-600 supporters. However, more important or "glamorous" fixtures (such as the 2005 friendly match against a Chelsea XI or Boxing Day derby matches against geographical rivals Weymouth) may attract crowds nearing the ground's capacity.
Current squad
Noted players
Listed according to when they debuted for Dorchester Town F.C. (year in parentheses):
- 2000s: Matty Holmes (2000-04)
- 1980s: Trevor Senior (1981/2 + 1993/4)
- 1970s: Graham Roberts (footballer) (1978/9)
(Noted players of the club)
External links
English football clubs | Football Conference | Sport in Dorset
"Dorchester Town F.C."